Wiped Out

Yep, that black blob is me. Notice how there aren't any sheets tied around the table anymore to keep me out from under it? I think mommy is rewarding me for not having a single accident in the house yesterday! (She didn't put them back after I had one this morning, either).

Also notice that I look exhausted! That's because mommy took me to a new place this morning. At first, when she put me in the car, I was a little scared. The last time she put me in a car she took me to the vet. And the vet stuck a stick up my butt. Twice.

But today she took me to this place that had trees. And grass. And these things that kids swing back and forth on. And these patches of grass with dirt paths cut into them. I think mommy called it a park. At home I tend to shy away from people who approach me, especially if they have other dogs with them. But at the park, we met up with a few older people and their pooches. I met a Bichon Frise, a Bedlington Terrier, and two Shih Tzus. Oh, and their owners.

We walked around the park twice, and at one point, mommy even trotted around with me! Imagine that! We had a great time. Until we got bit by fire ants. Actually, I got bit first, and when mommy picked me up to put me on the table to pick it off my leg, it bit her. Who knew a lousy ant bit could hurt so much? Mommy said it hurt alot, too. When we got home she put ice on her finger and tried to put ice on my paw. But I just took the ice cube and ate it.

Would you believe that mommy forgot to take the camera with us, so we didn't get any pictures of me at the park. Maybe next time we go back -- AFTER we forget about the ant bites!

She Just Doesn't Get It

My poor mommy. Everyday this week she's gone out to get something for me. She had some treats for me that I like, but they are rather big and crunchy and it's hard for me to eat them unless she cuts them in half. I think she got tired of cutting them because I haven't had any of those in a while. Then she bought be some Snausages. I do like those, but they still have to be cut in half for me. On Tuesday she took out the whole container and cut them all at one time! She's so smart! Slow, but smart. Then she forgot Murphy's Law and bought me some Pup Corn. I guess she thought since they were cheese flavored and I love cheese, that I'd love them, too. She found something that worked and promptly did something else!

Then she took me to the vet who finally told her that changing my diet wasn't the best idea. I think when she used to have dogs they could change their food without ill effect, but I can't. I need consistency, even with the type of food I eat.

She's spent way too much money trying to find something to put on the bottom of my kennel. First she tied this big furry-ish blanket folded up. But I just dug it up and layed on the plastic bottom. Then she tried the towel she used to dry me off after my bath. I just dug it up and layed on the plastic bottom. At least she'd waited until the towel was dry before trying to force me to lay down on it. Then yesterday she bought this furry, sheepskin thing. You guessed it; I just dug it up and layed on the plastic bottom. Though I did try to eat this one.

Guess what she came home with today?

Some carpet thingie with a backing on it. On first try it was hard to dig up. We'll just see about this tonight!

I surprised mommy today, too. We were playing in the living room when I stopped and went to the door. When she took me outside, I actually went potty. I thought she was going to cry, she was so happy! I have no clue why my going to the door made her so happy, but maybe I'll try it again later.

Speaking of playing, we had lots of fun playing today. I chased toys around, ran around the room, and even jumped over the coffee table. I don't think mommy was too happy when I knocked everything off it! But she didn't punish me. She knows I am just a dog who wants to play.

I know she's waiting for the day when I stop freezing up everytime someone comes within 20 yards of us while we're walking. I'm sure I will one of these days, when I keep seeing the same people over and over again.

Well, here are a few more pictures mommy took today. It was really a pain; we'd walked all the way down the sidewalk to the end and I layed down against the curb. She then decided we needed to go back and get that contraption she uses to make these pictures. I showed her, though: I didn't lay down against the curb the same way when we got back!


By the way, did you know that often when you click on a picture you get a new window with a bigger picture? Since I'm a black dog, this can help you see me better.

Welcome to My World

Hi! My name is Izzie. I was originally given the name Iseaha, but my new mommy thought Izzie was a cuter name for someone as cute as me. I've only lived with my new mommy for 3 days now, but I've already taught her a lot!

The first thing I noticed, though, was that she kept insisting I squat outside, and not inside this comfortable home (I know, I'm a boy, but squatting helps me keep my balance better than standing on only 3 legs). Anyway, it's so comfortable in here that it's much easier than having to go outside first. I mean REALLY! This is Tucson, and it's June, and it's HOT out there, and cool in here. I noticed that SHE doesn't go outside when SHE has to ... well, you know.

But I do have to admit, it does get rather stinky in here. And if it makes mommy happy for me to go do my thing outside, I guess I could at least try.

I think mommy's rather proud of me overall, though. The first few times she took me outside, she had to carry me up and down the stairs, because I was afraid of them. Hey, I couldn't help it! I was in a new, unknown place and besides, those stairs are STEEP. By the end of the first day though, she figured out that if she puts a treat in front of me on the way up, I'll go (I don't need the treat to go up them now, though). However, it took me until Sunday night before I'd go down them. On the way up I can see where I'll end up. On the way down, though, it's harder to see where I'll land. But mommy did the smart thing on Sunday night by carrying me only halfway down and putting me on the fourth step. That way I could see where I'd end up and now I go down by myself too.
Today mommy brought home this really weird contraption:It blocks me from the comfortable, carpeted area and keeps me in the ugly linoleumed area. But don't worry, she knows that I love to lie down in this room anyway; it's cooler. And like I said, when you're in Tucson and it's June, cool is, well, way cool. I think I'm going to like this set up for another reason, too: Now that I'm beginning to squat less in the house, she keeps me out with her more often and puts me in the crate less often. And I think that's way cool, too! Though i do like the crate, it gets lonely when you're there all night and off and on all day.
Well, that's enough for today. I hope you enjoy my take on the world. Here's some more pictures to get you more acquainted with me!
The one on the left was taken right after I had a bath. Mommy really wanted to put gel on my fur to make it all spiky, but thankfully she knew the alcohol in the gel wouldn't be good for my skin. This last one I am exploring my favorite place: the kitchen.